The Only Way to Do Great Work

There’s no shortage of content on this topic—Paul Graham’s essay on the subject is one of my all-time favorites.

But the more I reflect on my life’s highlights and observe the lives of people I admire, the clearer it becomes: when you genuinely love what you do, it directly leads to exceptional work.

Here are some thoughts I’ve gathered on why loving your work matters:

1. Obsession

This word might feel overused lately, but it’s still the best way to describe what happens when you truly love something. Obsession doesn’t feel like effort—it feels natural. You keep showing up and putting in the reps without even noticing the limits.

For me, writing has always been like this. It flows effortlessly. Sometimes, when I’m deep in thought and writing, I catch myself holding my breath, fully immersed in the moment. It’s only after everything is on paper that I exhale, feeling a strange kind of clarity and relief.

2. Discipline

Discipline is the foundation, the step before obsession takes over. It’s the quiet, steady force that builds consistency, helping you uncover just how much something truly matters to you.

At first, discipline is what gets you to show up, day after day—long before passion kicks in. When you’re naturally good at something or have a spark of interest, discipline keeps you steady. Over time, the progress you see turns that discipline into something deeper, even obsessive.

As a teenager, I often heard about discipline’s importance, but now, living it, I see it clearly: discipline pushes you to act even when you don’t feel like it. And those days? They’re the ones that shape you most.

3. Finding What You Love

Finding what you love isn’t always straightforward. When I find something that clicks, I go all in. But how do you get there?

You have to keep trying new things, failing, and paying attention to what sparks genuine interest. When something excites you and you keep coming back to it, you’ve likely found your thing. But loving it isn’t enough—finding your ikigai, the intersection of passion, skill, and value, is where the magic happens.

4. The People Who Prove It

I’ve seen this pattern repeatedly—in the inspiring team at beehiiv, among friends I admire, across Twitter, and in people like Michael Jordan, Steve Jobs, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Their obsession, discipline, and passion didn’t just result in great work—they built legacies. But what often gets overlooked is the journey. None of it is the “overnight success” it’s often made out to be.

It’s the result of relentless hard work, unshakable grit, a competitive spirit, and, most importantly, a refusal to settle for a mediocre life. These traits are what separate those who dream from those who achieve.

5. Delusional Self-Belief

One more thing I’ve noticed: to love what you do and do it well, you need a level of belief in yourself that borders on delusional.

Growing up, I always thought, I needed to go big. How big? I had no idea (I still don’t). But that belief has stayed with me. Today, no matter what I do, I always feel like there’s so much more to do—and while that keeps me on the edge, I somehow love that feeling.

Believing in yourself, even when others doubt you (or when you doubt yourself), is what keeps you going. It’s what helps you push through the tough days when you question your abilities.

Loving what you do isn’t just about enjoying the work—it’s about showing up, staying consistent, and believing in your ability to do more. When you combine obsession, discipline, and unshakable belief, great work becomes inevitable.

Notes:

• the work you do should add some form of value to other people’s lives so you can sell the idea of it. If it doesn't sell, no matter how good you are at it, it isn’t helping with the $$$

• I think Gen Z has overused the phrase “do what you love.” The truth is, not everyone has the opportunity, timing, or luck to turn their passions into a paycheck.

  What’s equally important—if not more—is learning to love what you do. Without that sense of purpose, work can feel empty. Yes, we only get one life, and of course, we want to make it count. But the reality is, that not everything we do will lead to deep satisfaction, massive success, or tons of money.

  Even when you do something you love, it can get monotonous or frustrating. That’s when the mindset shifts to: I’ll do it anyway. Because showing up, even when it’s not exciting, is what really makes the difference.